A Series of Bible Studies for Use in Churches And SeminariesBy W. W. PRESCOTT“Christ is All.”“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”PEVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATIONTAKOMA PARK, WASHINGTON, D. C.1920

1. THE WORD OF GOD2. THE CENTRAL TRUTH IN CHRISTIANITY, THE PERSON OF CHRIST3. CHRIST THE ONLY SAVIOUR 4. THE GREAT FACTS CONCERNING CHRIST5. THE DEITY OF CHRIST6. THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST7. THE ATONING DEATH OF CHRIST8. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST9. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST10. THE MEDIATORIAL WORK OF CHRIST11. LIVING THE LIFE OF CHRIST12. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST13. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS WORK 14. THE SABBATH OF THE LORD15. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST16. PRAYER 17. GIVING TO CHRIST HIS PLACE18. MISCELLANEOUS

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

The aim of these lessons is to present the essential doctrines of the everlasting gospel in their direct relation to the person of Christ, in order that the student may see and lay hold upon the truth as itis in Jesus. No effort has been made to develop a scheme of systematic theology, and there is nodiscussion of a merely abstract theology; but the emphasis has been placed upon the meaning of therevelation of Christ as an experience in the life. A doctrine which is a mere theological proposition hasno power to deliver one from the bondage of sin, and does not impart that peace and rest which arefound in Christ. If lie is to be to us a Savior from sin, we must receive him as “ the way, the truth, andthe life,” and we must not permit the knowledge of doctrines about him to obscure him in his blessed,fullness. In all our study we must behold with a clear vision “ the Lamb of God, that takes away the -sinof the world.”

The Doctrine of Christ

2Only the Holy Spirit, the promised teacher of the truth, van make known to us “ the deep thingsof God,” and his aid should be definitely sought when we attempt to-comprehend the revelation of Christ in the Scriptures. Every lesson should he studied and taught in the atmosphere of prayer.All quotations in the

NOTES

taken from the spirit of prophecy are duly credited to book and page. The other quotations have been selected from many sources, but as they are not given as authority, but are used merely for the expression of the thought, no credit has been given. It is the earnest hope of both the writer and the publishers that these studies that they may prove to be a spiritual blessing tothose who use them.W. W. Prescott

We can only know what the mind of God is toward a sinful creature by a revelation of thatmind. ‘For who hath known the mind of the Lord?’ Romans 11:34. In fact, to know God at all, we musthave a revelation. ‘For who by searching can find out God?’ Job 11:7. ‘No man knows the Father savethe Son, and he to whomsoever the Son shall reveal him.’ Matthew 11:27. We can only know whether there be forgiveness with God by revelation. Psalm 130:4; Exodus 34:7; Daniel 9:9; 1 John 1:9.“Only by revelation can we know the method of the divine grace. Romans 1:17. Indeed, all theunseen and eternal things which most deeply concern us are matters of pure revelation. 1 Corinthians11:9,10. But for the revelation which God has given us by his Son Jesus Christ, what could we know of heaven or hell, of the state of the dead, of life and immortality, or of any of the things that ‘must shortlycome to pass’ Revelation 1:1; 22:6.“It is well to remember that the current and popular opinions held and advanced by men on allthese great questions are modified imaginings, drawn from the revelation God has made in his word.Therefore, instead of listening to what man may say, or caring for what may be any man’s opinion, let usgo direct to the word of God and get knowledge that is able to make us wise unto salvation. 2 Timothy3:16.”

B. The Doctrine of Christ

The Revelation of God in Nature, in Providence, and in the Written Word1. THE visible creation is a channel for the revelation of the invisible. Romans 1:20.2. The heavens testify of God. Psalm 19:1.

The Doctrine of Christ

33. The earth and every living thing teach concerning God. Job 12:7-10.4. The operations of nature are the acts of a personal God. Job 36:26-33; Jeremiah 10:12, 13; Acts 14:17;Job 26:7-14.5. God reveals himself in his control of the affairs of men. Daniel 4:17, 25, 32; 2:21; Deuteronomy 4:34,35; Acts 13:17-22; 17:26; Isaiah 45:1-7.6. The revelation through the written word is the basis of certainty. Luke 1:1-4.7. The written word is the interpreter both of nature and of providence. John 15:1; Luke 21:29-31; 1Corinthians 10:11; Galatians 4:22-26.

NOTESThe testimony of nature.

“While the works of nature may arouse us to devotional feelings, they cannot guide our devotions. They but give evidence of the existence of an almighty Designer, but they cannot reveal himto us.”The failure of reason apart from a written revelation.“Confined in our views to the present state, and to observation alone, or merely to reasonwithout a written revelation, it is impossible to vindicate the justice of the controlling power, whether that power be called God or nature.”“Nature under the curse provides only an inadequate revelation, All created things, in their original perfection, were an expression of the thought of God.” – “Education,” Pages 161 17. Nature still speaks of her Creator. Yet these revelations are partial and imperfect. And in our fallen state,with weakened powers and restricted vision, we are incapable of interpreting aright. We need the fuller revelation of himself that God has given in his written word.” Education,” Page 17.“God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both his personality andhis character. He sent his Son into the world to reveal, so far as could be endured by human sight, thenature and the attributes of the invisible God.” – “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume 8, Page 265.“Apart from Christ we are still incapable of interpreting rightly the language of nature. Themost difficult and humiliating lesson that man has to learn is his own inefficiency in depending uponhuman wisdom, and the sure failure of his efforts to read nature correctly. Of himself he cannot interpretnature without placing it above God.” “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume 8, Page 257.

The value of the written revelation.

“The written word of God is the grand medium of revealing to us his will and ways. It penetrates the ages of a put eternity, and unveils the glories of that which is to come. It opens out to our adoring view the mysteries of the divine name. It lays bare the most secret workings of the human heart.It reveals the Father; it testifies of the Son; it bears witness of the Spirit. It unfolds the glorious chart of our redemption and salvation. It is history, and law, and poetry, and oratory, and parable, and promise,and prophecy.”“Only the written word of God, confidingly followed in the progressive stops of its advance,can lead the weakest or the wisest into the deep blessedness of the life that is in Christy and into the finalglory of the city of God.”